Bio:Wesley Dodds, the Golden Age Sandman, was the (DC) world's first costumed super-hero--according, at least, to one interpretation of the DCU's internal chronology. (The events of Crisis on Infinite Earths has thrown that interpretation into some doubt. Indeed, Crisis lent seemingly irresolvable doubt to virtually every Golden Age hero's "first appearance in the DCU timeline" date.)

In our world, though, his date of first publication slightly postdates Superman's, is roughly concurrent with Batman's, and significantly postdates the (newspaper) appearances of The Phantom, Zorro, and several other "pulpy" predecessors.

Nevertheless, he is one of the earliest American comic superheroes--despite, like Batman, having no supernatural powers. And certainly, in the 2005 DCU, he can safely be said to predate Superman, Batman, and most other superheroes--even if it's rather more tricky to say with authority that he's the "original" superhero of the DCU. (Events of the 2005/6 Infinite Crisismay shake up the DCU's past once again, though, giving us clearer answers in the near future.)

More apt to solve mysteries than perform super heroic feats, Dodds is usually accompanied by his love interest (and sometimes sidekick) Dian Belmont, as well as his usual sidekick, Sandy the Golden Boy.

Dodds uses the visions received in dreams to solve mysteries.

Notes:It's interesting to observe that the Sandman was never given an origin story in the Golden Age.

The Sandman is interesting as well for being the only significant DC hero to have two distinct visual forms in the Golden Age. At right are pictured the "original" look (albeit from Sandman Mystery Theater), and the Simon and Kirby Adventure Comics run.